Correction: Some Religious Beliefs Are Permissible in the Stem Cell Debate

World Magazine has a story about the haste on the part of U.S. lawmakers to pass legislation allowing for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research after South Korea's Hwang Woo-Suk successfully engineered embryonic clones from which to extract stem cells. I find the following ironic given all the clamor about the impropriety of allowing religious beliefs to impede research:

The Korea Times described Mr. Hwang as a devout Buddhist whose beliefs helped him sort out the ethical questions of stem-cell research. The newspaper quoted one of Mr. Hwang's partners, Moon Shin-yong, as saying cloning represented a "different way of thinking about the cycle of life and rebirth."

For more about Dr. Hwang's ethical justification (and why he made sure someone talked to the embryos) read Steve Wagner's post at STR's blog.